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Vikings picked for fifth in MLC

Midfielder Tim Fennelly, who led Augustana with 60 ground balls and was second with 18 goals in 2012, returns for his sophomore season. Fennelly and the Vikings have been pegged for fifth in their first season in the Midwest Lacrosse Confernce.

NAPERVILLE, Ill.- The Midwest Lacrosse Conference has released its 2013 pre-season coaches' poll and coach Kyle Hart's Augustana squad has been pegged for fifth in the 11-team league. The Vikings, who competed as an independent in their inaugural season of 2012, begin play in the MLC this year.

Hart's club put together an 8-6 record in its first season of intercollegiate play and ranked third in the nation defensively, allowing an average of just 5.14 goals per game. The Vikings went 3-3 against future conference opponents, getting wins over Fontbonne (6-3), Hanover (8-6) and Milwaukee School of Engineering (15-0). Aurora (9-2), Concordia (8-6) and Carthage (11-2), the top three teams in this year's coaches' poll, defeated Augustana in 2012.

Aurora got nine of 10 first-place votes in the poll and received 100 points. Concordia was next with 82 points, followed by Carthage (76) and Mt. St. Joseph (74). The Vikings received the other first-place vote and were a close fifth with 73 points.

Augustana joins first-year programs Elmhurst, Benedictine and Defiance as MLC newcomers this year. 2012 champion Adrian, along with Albion and Trine, have left the conference.

The Vikings open the 2013 season against Berry College in Mt. Berry, Georgia on February 23. The team's home opener at Thorson-Lucken Field is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on March 8 against Hendrix and Augustana plays its first of 10 MLC contests against Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio on March 24.